WILI morning man Wayne Norman is the parade Grand Marshal and began the parade with a salute to WILI's 60th anniversary, which will be October 5, 2017. He rode in a red 1957 Chevy Bel Air convertible, wearing a blue plaid suit with a 5-foot red, white, and blue tie, a black 1950's wig, ala Elvis, flashing red, white and blue glasses, and red high top sneakers.

Wayne Norman in the 1957 Chevy Bel Air owned by Ron and Peggy Sue from Preston

The 31st W.I.L.I. "BOOM BOX PARADE" STEPPED OFF UNDER A SUNNY SKY, LOW HUMIDITY, AND 82 DEGREES. THE PARADE LASTED 96 MINUTES--THE LONGEST PARADE SINCE 2010. PARADE GRAND MARSHAL WAYNE NORMAN STARTED THE PARADE INSIDE A LARGE BOOM BOX, WITH A RADIO TOWER ATOP HIS DRUM MAJOR HAT, AND WORE A FIVE-FOOT RED, WHITE, AND BLUE TIE. WAYNE'S TRUCK WAS POWERED BY GATES G.M.C. BUICK NISSAN. TO SEE FOX61'S VIDEO COVERAGE OF THE PARADE, CLICK HERE. READ THE NORWICH BULLETIN'S PARADE STORY HERE. CHECK THIS PAGE LATER FOR MORE PHOTOS.

THE WILI BOOM BOX PARADE HAS BEEN NAMED ONE OF THE TOP TEN SUMMER CULTURAL EVENTS IN CONNECTICUT--CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY.

THE 33rd ANNUAL W.I.L.I. "BOOM BOX PARADE" STARTS AT 11:00 a.m. ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 4th, 2018 -- AT JILLSON SQUARE (corner of Main and Jackson Streets). SAFETY GUIDELINES ARE IN EFFECT. FOR DETAILS, CLICK HERE.

THE 30th WILI BOOM BOX PARADE WAS THE LONGEST PARADE IN FOUR YEARS--87 MINUTES. TO SEE THE COURANT'S PHOTOS, CLICK HERE. TO READ THE NORWICH BULLETIN PARADE STORY, CLICK HERE. THE BULLETIN'S PHOTO GALLERY IS HERE. READ THE REMINDER NEWS PARADE STORY HERE. WATCH FOX CONNECTICUT'S VIDEO REPORT HERE. SEE MORE PICTURES ON FACEBOOK AT "WILI BOOM BOX PARADE."

Grand Marshal Wayne Norman started the 2015 parade in a classic 1956 T-Bird

The WILI July 4th "BOOM BOX PARADE" IS THE LARGEST PARADE OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD!!

In 1986, no marching band could be found for Windham's Memorial Day Parade. Parade lover Kathy Clark suggested the novel concept that WILI plays marching band music and peple bring radios. Five weeks later, the "Boom Box Parade" concept was born for the Independence Day parade, with WILI playing the marching band music on the air, while thousands march and watch, loudly playing their radios (boom boxes).

The 2010 WILI "Boom Box Parade" was the longest ever (117 minutes).

Anyone can march or enter a float in "Connecticut's Unique People's Parade." The only requirement is to wear some red, white, and blue, and bring a radio tuned to WILI (1400-AM). American flags are optional, but encouraged. There is no "official" theme for the parade.

Formation for the Boom Box Parade starts at Jillson Square on Main Street around 9:00 on July 4th. No pre-registration is necessary. The parade runs seven tenths of a mile west on Main Street to Memorial Park. There are safety guidelines, including no water spraying, no throwing candy, and no reckless operator behavior.

The parades are always led by Grand Marshal Wayne Norman--WILI's morning man since 1970--who always starts the parade in unusual outfits and themes. In 2014 he rode atop the Willimantic Police Department's new MRAP vehicle. He was a patriotic butterfly in 2013. In 2012 he cloned a "frog of Windham." He led the 2011 parade wearing the uniform of the 2011 NCAA champion UConn men's basketball team, and walked with the state champion Windham High School girls basketball team. In 2010, he was in cap and gown, campaigning (unsuccessfully) to be the next UConn president. He was joined in 2009 by his California niece and nephew with a surfer theme. In 2008 he rode in an electric wheelchair. In 2007 he celebrated WILI's 50th anniversary with a 1950's look. In 2006 he was dressed as the "King of Willimantic," sitting atop a huge Boom Box. In 2005 he paddled a kayak with red hair, wearing the uniform of the 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox. In prior years he has ridden an adult tricycle, a go-cart, a motorcycle, worn a UConn Husky basketball uniform, and in 1998 pulled the world's largest boom box while rollerblading. Norman stresses that everyone bring a Boom Box. "The parade doesn't work if you don't bring a radio," he says. To see some of Wayne's prior outfits, click here.

Past parade marchers have included a "baby boomers unit" (parents pushing children in strollers); a "precision drill team" (marchers holding power drills); skateboard units, along with various decorated floats and marching youth and civic groups. Among the most popular annual entries are the "Traveling Fish Head Club of Northeast Connecticut", "Haggerosa,"--nearly 100 members of Willimantic's Haggerty family, whose entries have spanned three blocks, and creative floats from the Willimantic Brewing Company/Main Street Cafe.

THE 2014 PARADE WENT OFF ON TIME IN A LIGHT RAIN, BUT MANY PEOPLE STILL TURNED OUT AND THE PARADE LASTED 62 MINUTES. CLICK HERE FOR A PARADE SUMMARY AND PICTURES. CLICK HERE TO SEE FOX 61's VIDEO REPORT. CLICK HERE TO SEE CHANNEL 30'S VIDEO REPORT. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE COURANT'S SLIDE SHOW OF PARADE PICTURES.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF THE FULL 2014 PARADE. You can watch the 2013 parade here.

FOR A SUMMARY AND PHOTOS OF THE 2013 WILI BOOM BOX PARADE, CLICK HERE.

For a listing of the music and artists used for the soundtrack of the WILI Boom Box Parade, click here

Hear two songs written about the Boom Box Parade--click here and scroll to July 4, 2016

See a video of Wayne Norman previewing the 2013 parade--click here and move the bar to 13:35 minutes in. See Wayne's preview of the 2011 parade--click here. See a video of the 2010 parade (with commentary)--click here.

FOR A SUMMARY AND PICTURES OF THE 2012 WILI BOOM BOX PARADE, CLICK HERE. SEE MORE 2012 PARADE PICTURES HERE.

TO READ THE NORWICH BULLETIN'S ACCOUNT OF THE 2008 WILI BOOM BOX PARADE, AND SEE THEIRPHOTO ALBUM, CLICK HERE.

The 2007 WILI "Boom Box Parade" was one of the best attended parades yet. It lasted 91 minutes, and as usual, featured marchers and spectators from around Connecticut, the USA, and the world. Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell marched at the front of the parade.

Decked out in red, white, and blue, WILI's Wayne Norman leads off the 2003 WILI "Boom Box Parade" asking a question that was on many peoples' minds.

Once a year WILI Sales Manager Donna Evan is a clown

As with the inaugural parade in 1986, the 2000 parade also attracted nationwide attention. The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times ran major features on the parade, with color photos. The Willimantic Chronicle, Hartford Courant and Norwich Bulletin ran major features on the parade, complete with color photos. In addition, Connecticut TV stations WFSB and WVIT covered the Boom Box Parade and had features on the 5pm and 11pm news.

Members of the Traveling Fish Head Club of Northeast Connecticut give Willimantic a new name.

The first WILI "Boom Box Parade" in 1986 got worldwide coverage. To see a writeup from Guatemala, click here. The New York Times ran a preview of the parade and a post-parade story. To read the preview, click here

The Wall Street Journal had stories about the 1986 and 1987 Boom Box Parades. To read the 1987 story, click here

For a New London Day op-ed page summary of the 2003 WILI Boom Box Parade, click here.

For a summary of the 2002 WILI "Boom Box Parade," written by Parade Grand Marshal Wayne Norman, click here.

The Traveling Fishhead Club of Northeast Connecticut emerged from the Willimantic River for the first time in 1987

The Windham Frogettes made an appearance

Boom Box Parade banners like this one and the one atop this page adorn Main Street before the parade

This is on the back of many boxes of Annie's Homegrown products, including pastas and snacks

Anyone can march in "Connecticut's Unique People's Parade." The only requirement is to wear some red, white, and blue, and bring a radio tuned to WILI (1400-AM). American flags are optional, but encouraged. There is no "official" theme for the parade.

An ex-Governor came to the 2004 WILI Boom Box Parade, complete with hot tub and suitcase for his trip to Pennsylvania.

The WILI "Boom Box Parade" begins at 11 AM sharp. Formation for the Boom Box Parade starts at Jillson Square on Main Street between 9 and 10:30am on July 4th. No pre-registration is necessary. A one-mile road race -- The Boom Box Mile -- preceeds the parade. For more information, click here.

UConn English Professor and Hartford Courant columnist Gina Barreca calls the WILI Boom Box Parade "unquestionably the event that makes the Fourth of July seem as important as it should be." Connecticut U. S. Senator Richard Blumenthal is always at what he calls "the best parade in Connecticut."

People spilled off the sidewalks to watch the 1997 WILI Boom Box Parade

The Boom Box Parade originated when no band could be found for Windham's Memorial Day Parade. Two days before the holiday, parade lover Kathy Clark approached WILI with the novel concept of the radio station playing marching band tunes while people blasted the music on radios ("boom boxes"). Figuring the lead time for promotion was too short, WILI vetoed the Memorial Day parade idea. Not to be denied, Kathy came back two weeks later, suggesting the concept for July 4. A tradition was born.

"We had no idea what to expect," said parade Grand Marshal Wayne Norman. "I went by the formation area 90 minutes before the parade, and no one was there. I thought, 'Wasn't THIS a great idea!'" But the first parade lasted 44 minutes and was hailed as a great success. Recent parades have been more than twice as long. For a story on Kathy Clark's legacy, click here.

Past parade marchers have included a "baby boomers unit"--parents pushing children in strollers; a "precision drill team"--marchers holding power drills; skateboard units, along with various decorated floats and marching youth and civic groups. One of the most popular annual entries is the "Traveling Fish Head Club of Northeast Connecticut", which in 2003 had a "herring town" entry and in 2001 had a tribute to Windham's frog bridge. Recently, nearly 100 members of the Haggerty family have gone all out with their "Haggerosa" theme--a takeoff on Bonanza's "Ponderosa" in 1998 and multi-unit circus theme in 1999, and a "We are not alone" aliens theme in 2000. In 2001 their "Haggerosa Patrol" stretched over three blocks with its keystone cops routine.

In 2003 they had a cruisin' theme, called "Haggerosa Rock 'n Roll" The family's display included a Mel's Diner float complete with a jukebox as well as a golf car converted into a mini car.

The Haggerosa clan again had multiple entries which spanned over a block. The 2003 theme was 50's and 60's Rock and Roll.

The parades are always led by Grand Marshal Wayne Norman--WILI's morning man since 1970. He has developed a tradition of wacky outfits. In 2013 he was a patriotic butterfly. He cloned a "frog of Windham" in 2012. He honored the 2011 NCAA champion UConn Men's Basketball team by wearing a UConn jersey and marched with the 2011 state champion Windham High girls basketball team. He led the 2010 parade in cap and gown, campaigning (unsuccessfully) to be the next UConn president. He was joined in 2009 by his California niece and nephew with a surfer theme. He started the 2008 parade in an electric wheelchair. He led the 2007 parade dressed like a 1950's greaser, as a tribute to WILI's 50th anniversary in 2007. In 2006, he was dressed as "The King of Willimantic" while sitting atop a huge boom box. In 2005 he kayaked down Main Street, while wearing a Red Sox jersey in honor of the 2004 World Series champs. In 2004 he was wearing a white jump suit with a red, white, and blue sequined vest while riding an "adult tricycle" down Main Street. He led the 2003 parade decked out in red, white, and blue, while driving a decorated go-cart, and had a two-sided red sign which asked "Where's The Courant today?" and "Where's Dan Rather today," in response to recent Courant and 60 Minutes II negative portrayals of Willimantic (see photo top of this page).

Two months after he backpacked the Grand Canyon, Wayne led the 2002 Boom Box Parade in his hiking gear-- complete with backpack. His Canyon Hiking pals followed him with a stretcher and a sign saying "Wayne's rescue crew"-- just in case! He carried cold water bottles in his pack and gave them to spectators on the 99 degree day.

He kicked off the 2001 parade as Uncle Sam riding a scooter. He wore a hard hat which played various sound effects and had two nylon propellers which lit up red and rotated. On his back was a drawing of Windham's new "Thread City Crossing" bridge, complete with actual photos of the bridge's frogs. And he carried a Sony Boom Box hanging from a strap around his neck.

In 2000, he led the "Cupid Corps"-nine individuals who had been honored for community service by being named Romantic Willimantic's "Cupid." Wayne was the first recipient in 1982. He headed the 2000 parade wearing big, white, safety-pinned diapers, carried a bow and arrow, and had a red sash saying "Cupid 1982." He wore his traditional drum major hat from Windham High, a "Stars and Stripes" shirt, had boom boxes for shoes, and carried a Boom Box. In 1999 he honored the National Champion UConn Men's Basketball team by wearing an actual game jersey of UConn center Jake Voskuhl, had the colorful Boom Box shoes, the drum major hat, carried a boom box, threw candy to the spectators, shot baskets at a hoop carried on the back back of WILI's afternoon man Shawn Higgins--all while pulling a dogsled which carried the UConn Husky mascot.

In 1998, he towed a bus-sized boom box while on rollerblades. In 1997, he was joined upfront by WILI News Director Mike Morrissette on motorcycles. In 1996, he was dressed as a giant snowball, in tribute to the record-setting winter of '95/'96. In previous years he wore a white tuxedo (1994), and the Frog of Windham (1993). In 1992 he attempted to ride a horse, and in 1991 rode ten feet above Main Street in a cherry-picker supplied by the Willimantic Fire Department.